CN101755292A - Transponder bolt seal and housing for a transponder - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic seal (300) is described. The seal includes a sealing mechanism (301, 302) for sealing valuables, and a cover (304) that prohibits access to the sealing mechanism (301, 302). When the cover (304) is removed from the sealing mechanism (301, 302), a trigger (303) is maintained in a substantially fixed relationship relative to the sealing mechanism (301, 302). The trigger (303) holds a tensioned spring (305) in place, and when the cover (304) is removed from the sealing mechanism (301, 302), the spring (305) is released. The released spring (107) then strikes a portion of a transponder (201) in the electronic seal (300).

Description

Transponder pin seal and housing for transponder

technical field

The present invention relates to electronic security seals. The invention also relates to a housing for a transponder. In particular, but not exclusively, certain embodiments of the invention relate to electronic security seals for use on containers.

Background technique

In today's security-conscious environment, cargo box security has become an important issue. This is especially evident in the international transport of containers. Locking a loaded container to prevent unauthorized access after it has been loaded and until it reaches its destination is now considered an important, if not mandatory, security measure.

Of course, the lock on the cargo box could be removed and replaced accordingly. Therefore, it is important to be able to detect tampering with the lock. To help identify tampering with a lock, electronic seals have been utilized.

One form of electronic seal that has been used in the past is an electronic tag tracking device that wirelessly sends information to an interrogator. This information indicates whether the lock has been tampered with.

US Patent No. 6,265,973 (Brammall et al.) describes an electronic security seal. A conductor along the snib rod is connected to the loop and provides a tamper evident signal to the loop when the snib is cut. This loop senses the removal of the plug or the status of the plug being cut and generates a "tamper" signal which is sent to the local receiver/reader.

US Patent No. 6,747,558 (Thorne et al.) describes a method and apparatus for providing container security through tags. The device includes a latch that extends through an opening in a latch mechanism on the cargo box. The pin also passes through the spaced apart coils of the closure. The enclosure uses one coil to generate a magnetic field while monitoring the corresponding magnetic field induced in the other coil. The tamper plug affects the magnetic field, which in turn allows the closure to detect the tampering. The closure device periodically transmits a wireless signal that can be received remotely for the purpose of tracking the case and monitoring the integrity of the closure.

A major disadvantage of providing sophisticated electronic security seals is the added cost associated with the container. Even if these devices are made to be reusable, there are associated costs, inconvenience, and possible additional safety concerns regarding the re-use of electronic seals. In addition, electronic seals that actively transmit signals may be subject to strict regulations regarding the maximum transmit power and the frequency bands in which they may be transmitted. These controls may change between jurisdictions and over time. There is also the problem of passive transponders interfering with signals from other passive transponders when interrogated. This problem persists even in applications where a tamper-evident lock is not required.

In addition to the closure function of electronic seals, there are many other applications where removal or tampering of valuables needs to be detected.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or improve the problems of existing electronic seals and/or transponders, or at least to provide the public with an effective alternative.

Any reference in this specification to prior art does not constitute, nor should it be taken as an admission that such prior art was known or became common knowledge in Australia or other jurisdictions before the priority date of any of the appended claims part of common sense.

Contents of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, an electronic seal is provided, which includes a closure mechanism for sealing valuables, a transponder accommodating portion, and a cover engaged with the closure mechanism, and the cover prohibits access to the closure mechanism, wherein, The closure mechanism includes or is connected to a trigger that is held in a substantially fixed relationship relative to the closure mechanism when the cover is removed from the closure mechanism, the cover retaining a spring in the cover that is held in a tensioned position by the trigger , and wherein the trigger and spring are positioned such that when the cover is removed from the closure mechanism, the trigger releases the spring, which moves and strikes the transponder, rendering the transponder inoperative.

In one embodiment, the transponder comprises a chip and an antenna structure held in a transponder housing forming part of the cover. In this embodiment, the cover may include a rear housing assembly positioned towards the closure mechanism, and a front housing assembly, and the chip and antenna structure may be sandwiched between the rear housing assembly and the front housing assembly. Also, the antenna structure may be flexible and the cover has a curved profile to hold the antenna structure in the curved shape. The chip may alternatively be mounted on a printed circuit board. Antenna structures may also be mounted on the printed circuit board.

In one embodiment, the cover includes a bore having an inner opening opening to the transponder receptacle and an outer opening receiving the trigger therein. In this embodiment, the spring may be a resilient elongate member tensioned into a curved configuration, and the cover may include an inner spring guide about the inner opening. Then, at least a part of the transponder extends into and is held in the area occupied by the spring guide. In operation, the spring is released by the trigger and cover moving relative to each other to withdraw the trigger into the inner opening, and the resulting movement of the spring is guided and constrained by the spring guide to strike and damage the transponder's, The portion that extends into the spring guide. In this embodiment, the spring guide may be a sector-shaped guide, and the cover may include a spring retainer at the bottom of the sector, the spring being positioned and retained in the spring retainer.

In one embodiment, the trigger is movable relative to the closure mechanism, and the trigger moves from the first position to the second position when the closure mechanism moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. In this embodiment, the trigger, when in the first position, disables the transponder from transmitting a signal. To effect this, the trigger may include conductive ends which, when the trigger is in the first position, contact the transponder so that the transponder does not function to emit a signal. And when the trigger is moved to the second position, the trigger moves away from the transponder, allowing the transponder to transmit a signal. Thus, the trigger acts as a switch with conductive ends that allows the transponder to operate or not to operate. When the closure mechanism is in the locked position, the trigger may be held in the second position to prevent movement of the trigger back to the first position while the closure mechanism remains in the locked position.

In one embodiment, the trigger rotates about the axis as the closure mechanism moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. In this embodiment, the trigger includes a retaining portion for the spring, wherein when the closure mechanism is in the locked position, the retaining portion allows the trigger to release the spring when the cover is moved a distance from the closure mechanism. When the closure mechanism is in the unlocked position, the guide prevents the release of the spring when the housing is moved a certain distance away from the closure mechanism.

In one embodiment, the trigger comprises a cavity in which a part of the transponder is positioned, at least when the closure mechanism is in the locked position, wherein the spring damages said part of the transponder when released. In this embodiment, the part of the transponder which is defined in the cavity is the chip of the transponder.

In one embodiment, the cover is removable from the closure mechanism. In this embodiment, the cover is removed from the closure mechanism by actuating the actuator. Actuation of the release cap of the actuator damages the transponder, rendering it inoperative. The lid can only be disengaged from the closure mechanism by actuating the actuator or forcibly removing the lid, for example by prying the lid away from the closure mechanism with a lever like a pry bar.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cover for an electronic seal, the cover being adapted to be securely engageable with a closure mechanism for enclosing a valuable item such that access to the closure mechanism is inhibited, wherein the cover includes a response A trigger, a spring, and a trigger, the trigger retains the spring in a tensioned configuration, wherein the trigger is configured to remain substantially in place relative to the closure mechanism when the cap is engaged with the closure mechanism, and the trigger is movable relative to the cap , such an arrangement causes the spring to be released when the cover is removed from the closure mechanism, and wherein the spring and transponder are positioned in the cover such that when the spring is released, the spring strikes the transponder, rendering the transponder inoperative.

Other aspects of the invention and other embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an electronic seal in an unlocked state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through the line AA of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view through the line BB of FIG. 1 .

Figure 4 shows a front view of the electronic seal of Figure 1 in a locked state.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view through line CC of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view through line DD of FIG. 4 .

Fig. 7 shows a front view of an RFID according to an aspect of the present invention. The RFID may be adapted for use with the electronic seal of FIG. 1 .

Figure 8 shows a front view of the seal of Figure 1 during removal of the cover from the seal.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view through line EE of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view through line FF of FIG. 8 .

Figure 11 schematically illustrates an alternative biasing mechanism for an electronic seal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 schematically shows an exploded view of the components of another embodiment of an electronic seal.

Figure 13 shows the assembly shown in Figure 12 when assembled.

Figure 14 shows the electronic seal of Figure 12 without the printed circuit board.

Figure 15 shows the electronic seal of Figure 12 with the spring released to remove the chip from the printed circuit board.

FIG. 16 shows an exploded view of components of the electronic seal according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 .

Figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 16 when partially assembled.

Figure 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 16 when assembled.

Detailed ways

The invention relates to an electronic seal. The electronic seal can be used to enclose valuables, which can be any item that needs to be enclosed, regardless of its monetary value. By way of example only, the electronic seal may be used to close a cargo box, a door to a room or compartment, or a control panel or button. The shape of the e-seal and the mechanism for enclosing the valuable will vary depending on the application.

Electronic seals may find particular application in the closure of containers and may offer advantages and functions which make them particularly suitable for this application. Accordingly, the following description makes specific reference to electronic seals for containers. Variations and/or modifications made to the electronic seal of the present invention to make the electronic seal suitable or more suitable for other applications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and such variations and/or modifications shall fall within the scope of the present invention In the range.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a front view of an electronic seal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, generally indicated by an arrow 100 . The seal 100 includes a cover 1 , a latch 2 with a head 3 , and a button 4 . The cover 1 has a curved front surface 1a and optionally includes a flat portion 1b on which a barcode or other indication can be placed. The cover 1 includes a shoulder 1c which extends to the latch 2 when it is in position to secure the cover 1 to the cargo box, as will be described in more detail below. The shoulder 1c may end in a curved recess 1d complementary in shape to the outer circumference of the bolt 2 .

FIG. 2 shows a section through the cover 1 and the plug 2 through the line AA of FIG. 1 , while FIG. 3 shows a section through the line BB of FIG. 1 .

Figure 1 includes a housing for a transponder (not shown in Figures 2 and 3), which holds the transponder in place. In a preferred embodiment, the transponder receptacle is in the form of a clamp 50 holding a portion of the transponder. The portion of the transponder held by the clamp 50 may be one or more antennas. However, other forms of transponder receptacles may be used, or required, depending on the particular shape and configuration of the transponder being used. The seal 100 may be particularly adapted for use with passive transponders, and this represents the most preferred embodiment of the invention, but the invention may also be applied to seals with active transponders.

Clamp 50 comprises two parts 50a and 50b which come together to hold a transponder, suitably a radio frequency identification device (RFID), therebetween. Before positioning the RFID in the clamp 50, the button 4 is inserted into the central hole 50c of the clamp 50. The remainder of the cover 1 is over-moulded around the clamp 50 . During the overmolding process, the clamps 50 can be held in a known manner by mechanical supports, the removal of which creates holes 1 e in the cover 1 . In order to maintain a uniform thickness of the clamp 50 in the region of the planar portion 1b, the clamp 50 may have a comb shape 1f in this region.

The cover 1 is shaped such that once the RFID is inserted into the clamp 50 and the rest of the cover 1 is molded around the clamp 50, the RFID cannot be removed from the cover 1 without damaging the cover 1 . This is one aspect of seal 100 that contributes to its character as a tamper evident seal.

FIGS. 2 and 3 further show a section through the closure mechanism 5 . The closure mechanism 5 in this embodiment is adapted to receive the bolt 2 . Correspondingly, the seal 100 shown in the figures is suitable for enclosing valuables which can be locked by the latch 2, for example by using the latch 2 in such a way as to lock the door of a closed container, in which case the The latch 2 is inserted through the two grommets of the door of the container and then into the closing mechanism 5 . Mechanisms for engaging and holding the latch securely are well known and so will not be described herein. Variations and/or modifications to the closure mechanism 5 may be required to secure other valuables.

The closure mechanism 5 is engaged with the clamp 50 of the lid 1 by an interlocking engagement mechanism 5a (see FIG. 3 ). In an alternative embodiment where the cover 1 is of a different shape, the closure mechanism 5 may engage another part of the cover 1 .

The closing mechanism 5 comprises a first channel 5b and a second channel 5c extending transversely to each other and intersecting each other. The shape, size and direction of the first hole 5b are determined to accommodate the pin 2 and engage with the circumferential ring 2a provided on the pin 2 to prevent the pin 2 from falling out of the hole 5b after being inserted.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, a second aperture 5c, partly formed by the clamp 50 and partly formed by the closing mechanism 5, accommodates the movable member 6 comprising a hole 6a passing through the movable member 6 And there is a frusto-conical opening 6b on the side of the hole 6a that receives the pin 2 . In FIG. 2, an opening similar in shape to the opening 6b is also provided on the opposite side of the hole 6a, but this is not essential. When the latch 2 is moved downward in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the latch 2 contacts the side wall of the opening 6b and forces the movable member 6 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow B. As shown in FIG. This movement is against the force of biasing means, herein referred to as a spring 7 , which extends between the movable member 6 and the closure cap 8 and which is fixedly engaged with the closure mechanism 5 . The spring 7 may be any suitable biasing means or material, including a helical metal or plastic band and a resilient soft material such as rubber. Furthermore, the spring 7 may be substituted or used with other biasing means operable to pull the movable member 6 in the direction opposite to arrow B, such a device may be between the movable member 6 and the second bore Elastic material extending between 5c.

The conductive ring 9 is disposed on the distal end of the movable member 6 away from the sealing cap 8 . The conductive ring 9 is annular and is dimensioned to extend around a chip located on the RFID, thereby shorting the chip and preventing the RFID from transmitting a signal in response to an interrogation signal. Any suitably shaped electrical conductor may be used instead of the conductive ring 9 as long as the electrical conductor renders the RFID inoperative when it is in contact with the RFID.

The RFID remains inactive as the spring 7 presses the conductive ring 9 against the RFID until the seal 100 is used to lock the container. Only after inserting the pin 2 into the housing 5b through the hole 6a of the movable member 6, the RFID is switched to the active state. As can be seen from FIG. 3 , the conductive ring 9 is in the plane of the intersecting portions 50 a , 50 b of the clamp 50 . The spring rate of the spring 7 should be chosen to be high enough to keep the conductive ring 9 in contact with the necessary conductors located on the RFID so that the RFID does not function, and should be chosen to be low enough not to cause damage to the RFID . To further help prevent damage, the moveable member 6 may have elastic portions therealong to absorb shocks applied to the seal 100 eg during transport. This elastic portion can perform the dual function of providing a point of weakness in the movable member 6, which will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIG. 11 .

Thus, the seal 100 of the present invention keeps the RFID inactive until the seal 100 is applied to the cargo case. This controls when seal 100 may transmit a signal in response to an interrogation signal.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the seal 100 with the pin 2 inserted into the housing 5b, Figure 5 shows a section through the line CC of Figure 4, and Figure 6 shows a cross-section through the line DD of Figure 4 sectional view. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4 , the cover 1 extends upwards to the head of the plug 2 when the plug 2 is inserted into the housing 5 b. This prevents access to the pin and thus cutting the pin without causing visible damage to the cover 1 . Even if it were possible to cut the pin immediately below the head 3 without damaging the cap, the stem of the pin 2 would still extend through the valuables, and removal of the stem would still tend to necessarily damage at least the shoulder 1c of the cap 1 .

Inserting the pin 2 through the hole 6a into the receptacle 5b causes the hole 6a to align with the receptacle 5b by moving in direction B against the resistance of the spring 7 . This also displaces the ring 9 in direction B, moving the ring 9 out of the plane occupied by the intersecting portions 50a, 50b of the clamp 50 and allowing the RFID held by the clamp 50 to function.

Those skilled in the art will understand that there are alternative methods of keeping the transponder in the inactive state and then switching the transponder to the active state. The method of sealing that can be used with the present invention can be determined by the particular transponder used. For example, a different method may be used to actuate an active transponder between an active state and an inactive state than is used to actuate a passive transponder, and a different method may be used to switch between an active state and an inactive state. Actuate transponders with different structures and functions. The operation of the seal to change the state of the transponder may be mechanical in nature, for example by moving a conductive object, or it may be electronic, for example by changing the state of a chip implementing a simple state machine. Regardless of the actuation method used, the seal of the invention has the advantage that it does not have to be in the open state all the time, and does not have to be switched to the open state by a separate action that does not rely on normal use of the seal of the invention to enclose the valuable.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of RFID 200 . The RFID 200 includes a chip 201 and an antenna structure 202. In the preferred embodiment shown, the antenna structure is in the shape of a cross. Support structures 203 in the form of plastic ribs can be provided on the cover 1 . Antenna structure 202 may include two or more separate antennas to help increase the effective range and/or effective coverage area of RFID 200 . For example, one antenna structure 202 may be used for each arm or pair of arms of the cross-shaped antenna structure 202 shown in FIG. 7 such that the antennas located within the antenna structure 202 are offset by 90 degrees relative to each other. The chip 201 and the antenna structure 202 are located on a flexible substrate 204 . Those skilled in the art can readily understand how to manufacture an RFID 200 of the type shown in FIG. 7, so the structure and operation of the RFID 200 (or any other transponder that may be used as part of the electronic seal of the present invention) will not be further described herein.

Cover 1 may position RFID 200 , or at least antenna structure 202 , spaced apart from closure mechanism 5 . This isolates the antenna structure 202 from the latch and valuables, which may be a metal container. The size of the gap between the RFID 200 (and/or the antenna structure 202 ) and the pin 2 (and/or the valuable item) may be selected for improved RFID 200 performance.

To release the seal 100, the operator pushes the button 4 inwardly from the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to the position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 . 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views through lines EE and FF of FIG. 8, respectively. This causes the edge, in this embodiment the set of teeth 4a , to move into the channel 5c , thereby separating the chip 201 from the base 204 , which is still held in place by the clamp 50 . This renders RFID 200 permanently inoperative. Further inward movement of the button 4 causes the inner surface 4b of the button 4 to contact the outer surface 10 of the engagement mechanism 5a , which disengages the engagement mechanism 5a from the clamp 50 . This allows the cover 1 to be removed. The elastic tension provided by the particular engagement mechanism 5a shown in the figures may be sufficient to push the lid 1 away from the closure mechanism 5 without operator assistance at least to such an extent that the engagement mechanism 5a does not re-engage.

The seal 100 shown in the figures with the button 4 for breaking the passive transponder represents the most preferred embodiment of the invention. However, alternative embodiments exist and may be used depending on the specific requirements for the seal or the preference of the designer of the seal of the present invention. By way of example only, the chip 201 may be, or may include, an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and the depression of the button 4 may be monitored by a controller for the EEPROM, which may cause When down, the chip 201 erases itself. Alternatively, the controller may cause the transponder to emit a different signal, for example a different sequence of numbers, after the button 4 has been depressed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the button 4 can be replaced by a lock cylinder actuated by a key. The rotation of the lock cylinder by the key may be mechanical or electronic, or even chemical - for example by releasing chemicals that damage the transponder or by causing a small exothermic reaction or explosion causing destruction or alteration of the transponder.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the seal 100 may monitor the integrity of the plug 2 and/or the cover 1, for example, by detecting changes in the electrical characteristics of the plug 2, and/or by wrapping the cover and/or the plug Deploying a filament and detecting breakage of the filament detects severing of the plug. Seal 100 changes transponder in a detectable manner upon detection of an event indicating a potential removal or tampering of seal 100 .

In the preferred embodiment described herein, the cover 1 cannot be removed without first depressing the button 4, which causes the RFID 200 to be damaged. An advantage of this embodiment is that accidental destruction of the RFID 200 is rare. In an alternative embodiment, the button 4 can be omitted and the cover 1 can be removed without first pressing the button 4 or any other actuator. In this alternative embodiment, the act of removing the cover 1 may damage or alter the transponder, for example by tearing off part of the antenna fastened to the cover 1 and leaving the chip of the transponder or disconnection of the monitoring circuit , the circuit extends beyond the boundary between the cover 1 and the remainder of the seal 100 .

Therefore, the seal 100 is tamper evident since either no signal is received from the RFID 200, or an incorrect signal is received if the entire seal 100 is replaced. Seal 100 is conveniently tamper evident and the tamper evident mechanism in seal 100 is difficult to disengage since latch 2 is not accessible through cover 1 , or at least difficult to access and cut latch 2 without damaging cover 1 .

Figure 11 shows a simplified diagram of a portion of a replaceable seal according to the invention. Parts of the seal shown are movable member 60 similar to movable member 6 of seal 100 , cover 65 similar to cover 1 of seal 100 , and RFID 64 which may be RFID 200 shown in FIG. 7 . The movable member 65 includes a weakened portion 61 . The weakened portion 61 is positioned in the movable member 60 between the conductive ring 62 and the hole 63 (not visible in FIG. 11 ) that receives a pin (not shown). The conductive ring 62 operates in the same manner as the conductive ring 9 of the seal 100 to disable the RFID 64 when it is in contact with the RFID 64 .

The movable member 63 may be biased against the RFID 64 by any suitable biasing means, including a spring similar to the spring 7 . Additionally or alternatively, the movable member is biased against the RFID 64 by two biasing members 66 fastened to the cover 65 . Weakened portion 61 and biasing member 66 are formed of a suitable material and are formed in a suitable shape and size such that if cover 65 is removed from movable member 60 (which is held in place by the latch), weakened portion 61 and biasing member The elasticity of 66 breaks the weakened portion 61 . With the weakened portion 61 broken, the biasing member 66 thereby pushes the conductive ring 62 against the RFID 64, rendering the RFID 64 inoperative. The cover 65 is shaped such that the conductive ring 62 can be removed from the cover 65 only by damaging the cover 65 .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are alternative biasing means, such as a metal spring, that could be used in place of biasing member 66 . Also, where the RFID 64 is an EEPROM or similar device, the seal can monitor removal of the cover 65 and erase the RRPROM. This can be achieved by monitoring the disconnection of one or more conductors, in which case the weakening 61 can be omitted.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 , 6 and 10 , the curved shape of the cover 1 causes an RFID inserted into the clamp 50 to bend. Both the RFID 200 and the clamp 50 are dimensioned such that the chip 201 is centered with respect to the ring 9 when the RFID 200 is positioned in the clamp 50 .

Due to the curved shape of the clamp 50 , this in turn forces the base body 204 to be curved, which in turn results in a curved antenna structure 202 . This bending of the antenna structure 202 causes the transmitted signal to cover a sector-shaped area (formed by rays extending perpendicularly from the antenna structure 202 on the active portion of the antenna structure 202). This is in contrast to the case where the antenna is kept flat, where most of the emitted energy is directed outward from the antenna transverse to the plane of the antenna. The advantage of the design of the curved antenna is that the interrogator can be positioned towards the side of the cover 1 and still receive signals at a useful distance. This is further enhanced by the dual antenna structure of the RFID200.

Those skilled in the art can understand that when the antenna is bent, the effective transmission distance of the RFID 200 decreases along the direction perpendicular to the vertical centerline of the front surface 1 a of the cover 1 . In the Applicant's opinion, however, the benefit of having a substantially increased effective launch range in other directions is more important than this reduced effective launch range. For example, when the seal 100 is used with large containers, it is common practice to place two or more containers in close proximity to each other. This may prevent the interrogator of RFID 200 from effectively approaching from the front of seal 100 . The curved shape of the RFID 200 located in the seal 100 allows interrogation of the RFID 200 from other directions at effective distances, for example by holding a transponder in the gap between two containers.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the effective area of the transponder can be increased along two orthogonal axes by forming the transponder housing with a curved shape along two orthogonal axes, for example by forming a parabolic or hemispherical surface , allowing further flexibility in the location of the interrogator for passive transponders/receiver for active transponders. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment is a curved transponder receptacle, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes allow for an effective transmission range over an increased angular range relative to a transponder with a planar antenna. For example, the transponder housing may define three sides of a trapezoid.

Furthermore, the curved shape of the cover 1 serves a beneficial triple purpose: increasing the effective firing angle, preventing access to the closure mechanism 5 and orienting the RFID 200 outward from the surface adjacent to the seal 100 on which the seal 100 may be mounted. Achieving even two of these objectives by a single structure can result in superior efficacy in material and manufacturing costs over alternatives. The advantages of the curved shape of the cover 1 are achieved regardless of whether the cover 1 is removable from the closure mechanism 5 by using a button or other actuator. If the cover 1 is not removable from the closure mechanism 5, they may be integrally formed, in which case the operator must break the cover to gain access to the latch 2 (or other locking member). A line of weakness may be formed in the seal 100 to facilitate removal of a cover that has been integrally formed with the closure mechanism.

The form of the non-planar antenna structure may be applied to any other technology involving transponders, and while applicants believe that it has particular utility when applied to electronic seals, this aspect of the invention should not be construed as limited to use in on the electronic seal.

The lid 1 and closure mechanism 5 may be constructed from a suitably strong molded plastics material. Receptacle 5b may need to be constructed of a metal or metal alloy to sufficiently prevent removal of plug 2 after engagement with receptacle 5b. The conductive ring 9 may be aluminum foil, while the channel 6, cap 8 and spring 7 may be polyurethane if formed as an integral component, or if a separate component in which case the spring 7 may be metal spring.

The closing mechanism 5 of the electronic seal 100 can also be applied to other forms of monitoring, with or without the cover 1 . These applications can be realized by replacing the latch 2 and the receptacle 5 b with a pin that is easily removed from the closure mechanism 5 . The pin may be fastened to a valuable, which may include the door of the cargo box, so that if the valuable is moved from a particular location, the pin is pulled out of the closure mechanism 5, which pushes the conductive ring 9 against the transponder. The detachment of the pin can thus be detected without visual inspection by the RFID 200 not responding to the interrogation signal. Similarly, if the spring 7 is reverse biased, the RFID 200 can start working once the pin is disengaged. An exemplary application of this type of closure mechanism 5 is on an aircraft, where a pin can be fastened to the door of a cargo box for a lifejacket or to the lifejacket itself, so that it can be easily closed without necessarily having to carry out a visual inspection. to detect the removal or tampering of the lifejacket accurately.

Figure 12 shows a simplified diagram of the components of another embodiment of the invention. The device shown in FIG. 12 is also an electronic seal, indicated generally by arrow 150 and may have a similar structure to the electronic seal 100 previously described herein. 16-18 provide more detailed views of one embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 12 .

Electronic Seal 150 may have many of the same components as Electronic Seal 100 , and FIG. 12 shows only those components illustrating the main structural and functional differences between Electronic Seal 150 and Electronic Seal 100 . The assembly shown in FIG. 12 is designed to cooperate with a closure mechanism that is a modification of the closure mechanism 5 described previously, and the following description will refer to components of the closure mechanism 5 .

The electronic seal 150 comprises a rear housing 101 which in use is positioned facing the closure mechanism 5 . Although the rear housing 101 shown in FIG. 12 is substantially flat, it may also have a curved profile similar to the housing 1 of the electronic seal 100 if desired. Like the electronic seal 150, the chip 201 and the antenna structure 202 (see FIG. 7 ) can be disposed on a flexible substrate and positioned between the rear housing 101 and another housing component to form a clamp 50 similar to the electronic seal 100 clamp. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, the chip 201 may be mounted to a printed circuit board 108, which may include the antenna structure, which in turn is held in place by clamps 50 or the like. The rear case 101 includes a hole 102 and a generally fan-shaped guide portion 103 cut away from the front surface of the rear case 101 .

The closure mechanism 5 comprises a trigger 106 which is held in a fixed position relative to the closure mechanism 5 , but under certain conditions which will be described below, the trigger 106 moves along its axis relative to the rear housing 101 . The trigger 106 engages the movable member 6 and extends through the aperture 102 of the rear housing 101 . Engagement with the movable member 6 allows the movable member 6 to move backwards when the bolt 2 is inserted into the closure mechanism 5 . This can be achieved, for example, by the movable member 6 having a protrusion which is inserted into a helical groove formed in the trigger 106 so that when the movable member 6 moves backwards, the protrusion moves along the The helical slot moves toward the rear of the trigger 106 and the trigger 106 rotates. However, simple sliding arrangements can also be used. The trigger 106 is held such that the trigger 106 cannot move forward out of the closure mechanism 5 at least when the bolt 2 is inserted into the closure mechanism 5 .

A cut-off spring 107 is positioned in the guide 103 . The spring 107 is biased in one direction to the left in FIG. 12 . The bottom of the spring 107 is positioned at the bottom of the sector guide 103 and then moved to the right of the hole 102 before extending the trigger 106 through the hole 102 . This allows the spring 107 to bear against the outer wall of the trigger 106 . Figures 13 and 14 illustrate this position.

The trigger 106 includes a cavity 109 in which the chip 201 is positioned when the trigger 106 extends through the aperture 102 of the rear housing 101 . Thus, the chip 201 is held in alignment with the spring 107 by the PCB 108 and/or the front of the housing such that when the trigger 106 is pulled back from the hole 102, the trigger 106 stops holding the spring 107 and the spring 107 moves through the hole and Knock the chip 201 off the PCB or at least damage the chip 201 so that it no longer functions. Figure 15 shows this situation, where the movement of the trigger is indicated by arrow T1 and the movement of the spring by arrow T2.

Since the trigger 106 is connected to the latch 2 through the non-resilient moving member 6, the spring 107 is released when the rear case 101 moves forward. This can happen, for example, if someone tries to access the closure mechanism 5 by trying to pry the rear housing 101 away from the closure mechanism 5 using a crowbar or the like.

As noted above, in one embodiment, the trigger 106 may be attached to the movable member 6 such that the trigger 106 rotates about the longitudinal axis of the movable member 6 as the movable member 6 moves rearwardly within the closure mechanism 5 . In this embodiment, the outer surface of the trigger 106 may also have a helical groove formed therein that extends to the end of the trigger 106 and that is sized to accommodate the spring 107 . When the movable member 6 is in its forward position, the spring 107 may be located in the slot at an edge remote from the trigger 106 . The spring 107 can be bent back slightly to be received by the slot. In this position, the spring 107 is held securely in place.

When the bolt 2 is inserted into the closure mechanism 5, the movable member 6 moves backwards, causing the trigger 106 to rotate. The spring 107 thus travels to the edge of the trigger 106 along a helical path. In this position, if the rear housing 101 is moved forward away from the trigger 106 , the spring 107 is no longer bound in the helical groove and thus is no longer with the trigger 106 .

In one embodiment, the trigger 106 is movable along its axis to a certain extent when the movable member 6 is moved by insertion of the bolt 2 into the closure mechanism. In this embodiment, the trigger 106 may have a conductive ring at its end that contacts the PCB 108 when the trigger 106 is in its forwardmost position, disabling the chip 201 . When the bolt 2 is inserted into the closure mechanism 5, movement of the movable member 6 of the closure mechanism 5 moves the trigger 106 backwards and rotates. This backward movement dislodges the conductive ring from the PCB 108, allowing the chip 201 to function, and this movement, combined with the rotation (if any), moves the spring 107 to the end of the trigger 106, ready to move if the rear case 101 is relative to the The further movement of the trigger 106 forward just pops the trigger 106 .

As previously mentioned, the front of the clamp 50 and the front cover are located in front of the rear housing 101 and the PCB 108 . The front cover may also include a button 4 which, when depressed, detaches the chip 201 from the antenna. Appropriate lines of weakness may be provided to facilitate this separation.

Figure 16 shows an e-seal 300 that includes a spring-based protection mechanism similar to that described with reference to Figures 12-14. The e-seal 300 includes a closure mechanism similar to the closure mechanism 5 previously described herein. The closure mechanism is shown in FIG. 16 as being divided into a plug 301 and a lock body 302 . Other components of e-seal 300 are trigger 303 , rear case 304 , and spring 305 . As with the previous embodiments, the front case (not shown) will act as a clamp for the chip and antenna structure.

A conductive member 306 is provided on an inner end of the plug 301 , and the conductive member 306 is biased inward by a plug spring 307 . Thus, the conductive member 306 operates in the same manner as the conductive ring 9 (see eg FIG. 9 ) to prevent the chip and antenna structure from operating until the pin passes through the lock body 302 to dislodge the conductive member 306 from the chip and antenna structure.

FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the components of FIG. 16 with the lock 301 , lock body 302 and trigger 303 assembled and the spring 305 positioned in the rear housing 304 . The plug 301 is retained in the lock body 302 by a resilient protrusion 307 interlocking with the trigger 303 , holding the trigger 303 in place relative to the lock body 302 . The plug 301 is shown in its retracted position, in which the chip and antenna structure is operational.

Figure 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled assembly of Figure 16 . In this embodiment, the rear housing 304 is movably engaged with the lock body 302 . For example, the engagement may be frictional or by an easily released interlock. The spring 305 moves past the trigger 303 and is held in the tensioned position by the trigger 303 . Trigger 303 remains stationary while plug 301 moves conductive member 306 into and out of contact with the chip and antenna structure. In one embodiment, the movable engagement is sufficiently secure to prevent the cover from falling off the lock body 302 and trigger 303, while still being removable by hand. This arrangement avoids the need for a button or other actuator in the front housing to disengage the cover from the closure mechanism.

If the rear housing 304 deviates or moves in the direction of arrow T3 , the rear housing 304 moves the spring 305 in the same direction until it clears the trigger 303 . The spring 303 then moves over the front of the trigger in the area occupied by the chip (or other active part) in the chip and antenna structure, damaging the structure and rendering it inoperative.

An advantage of the present invention is the ability to provide an electronic device that operates when tampering is detected. It allows very quick identification of tampered valuables, since all transponders that do not indicate tampering status are switched off. Such a tamper evident device may be suitable where the person tampering with the valuables is not inclined to also successfully tamper with the electronic device to render it inoperative. In the absence of a button 4, the cover 1 of the present invention can help protect the device from damage to the electronic device that would prevent it from working.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute different alternative aspects of the invention.

It can also be understood that the word "comprising" used in this specification is equivalent to "comprising", and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, it should not be interpreted as necessarily excluding the existence of other elements or features.

Claims (21)

1. e-seals, described e-seals comprises closing means, transponder holding part that is used to seal valuables and the lid that engages with described closing means, described lid forbids touching described closing means, wherein,

Described closing means comprises or is connected to trigger, when described lid when described closing means is removed, described trigger is retained the relation that is in basic fixed with respect to described closing means,

Described lid remains on spring in the described lid, and described spring is maintained at tension position by described trigger,

And wherein:

Described trigger and spring be positioned as make when described lid when described closing means is removed, described trigger discharges described spring, described spring moves and clashes into described transponder, makes described transponder inoperative.

2. e-seals as claimed in claim 1, wherein, described transponder comprises chip and the antenna structure that is maintained in the described transponder holding part, described transponder holding part forms the part of described lid.

3. e-seals as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described lid comprises back casing assembly and the procapsid assembly that is positioned as towards described closing means, and wherein, described chip and antenna structure are sandwiched between described back casing assembly and the procapsid assembly.

4. as claim 2 or the described e-seals of claim 3, wherein, described antenna structure is flexible, and described lid has crooked outline so that described antenna structure is held in curved shape.

5. e-seals as claimed in claim 2, wherein, described chip is installed on the printed circuit board (PCB).

6. e-seals as claimed in claim 5, wherein, described antenna structure also is installed on the described printed circuit board (PCB).

7. each described e-seals in the claim as described above, wherein, described lid comprises the hole, described hole has the inner opening that opens wide to described transponder holding part and described trigger is contained in wherein outer opening.

8. e-seals as claimed in claim 7, wherein, described spring is the elasticity long element that tensioning becomes curved configuration, and described lid comprises the contained spring guide portion around described inner opening, at least a portion of described transponder extends into and is maintained in the occupied zone of described spring guide portion, wherein, described spring is discharged by described trigger that relative to each other moves and lid, so that described trigger is retracted in the described inner opening, and wherein, moving by described spring guide portion guiding and constraint of the described spring that is produced is with bump and damage part in the described spring guide portion of extending to of described transponder.

9. e-seals as claimed in claim 8, wherein, described spring guide portion is fan-shaped guide portion, and described lid comprises the spring maintaining part that is positioned at described fan-shaped bottom, described spring is positioned and is maintained in the described spring maintaining part.

10. each described e-seals in the claim as described above, wherein, described trigger can move with respect to described closing means, and when described closing means when unlocked position moves to latched position, described trigger moves to the second place from primary importance.

11. e-seals as claimed in claim 10, wherein, described trigger makes described transponder not play a part to transmit when being in described primary importance.

12. e-seals as claimed in claim 11, wherein, described trigger comprises conducting end, when described trigger is in described primary importance, described conducting end contacts described transponder so that described transponder does not play a part to transmit, and described trigger is removed from described transponder when moving to the described second place, transmits to allow described transponder.

13. as each described e-seals in the claim 10 to 12, wherein, when described closing means is in described latched position, described trigger is maintained at the described second place, to prevent that described trigger is moved back into described primary importance when described closing means remains on described latched position.

14. each described e-seals in the claim as described above, wherein, when described closing means when unlocked position moves to latched position, described trigger rotates around axis.

15. e-seals as claimed in claim 14, wherein, described trigger comprises the maintaining part that is used for spring, wherein, when described closing means was in described latched position, described maintaining part allowed described trigger to discharge described spring at described lid when described closing means is removed certain distance, and wherein, when described closing means was in described unlocked position, described guide portion prevention discharged described spring at described housing when described closing means is removed described certain distance.

16. each described e-seals in the claim as described above, wherein, described trigger comprises cavity, at least when described closing means is in described latched position, the part of described transponder is located in the described cavity, wherein, described spring damages the described part of described transponder when being released.

17. e-seals as claimed in claim 16, wherein, the described part of described transponder is the chip of described transponder.

18. as each described e-seals in the claim 1 to 17, wherein, described lid is dismountable.

19. e-seals as claimed in claim 18 wherein, is thrown off described lid by actuated actuators from described closing means, and wherein, the actuating in order to throw off described lid of described actuator damages described transponder, makes described transponder inoperative.

20. e-seals as claimed in claim 19, wherein, only can be by activating described actuator or described lid being thrown off from described closing means by dismantling described lid by force.

21. lid that is used for e-seals, described lid is suitable for and can engages securely with the closing means that is used to seal valuables, thereby forbid touching described closing means, wherein, in described lid, comprise transponder, spring and trigger, described trigger is held in the tensioning configuration with described spring, wherein, described trigger is configured to remain essentially in the appropriate location with respect to described closing means when described lid engages with described closing means, and described trigger can move with respect to described lid, this set causes discharging described spring when described lid when described closing means is removed, and wherein, described spring and transponder are positioned in the described lid, make when discharging described spring, described spring clashes into described transponder, makes described transponder inoperative.

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